A New Member of the Royal Family

Thursday, April 21, 2016

by Lincoln Park Zoo

in

New Arrivals

Lincoln Park Zoo is thrilled to announce the arrival of new zoo royalty: a crowned lemur was born on April 17 at the Helen Brach Primate House.

The newborn crowned lemur clings tightly to mom Sokkwi’s abdomen.

The lemur infant joins its mother (Tucker), father (Sokkwi, pronounced so-kwee) and siblings, 2-year-old female Sava and 1-year-old female Volana, who all reside at the zoo. The sex and measurements of the infant are yet to be determined, as Tucker is keeping the newborn wrapped very close to her belly. The dam and sire were recommended to breed as a part of the Crowned Lemur Species Survival Plan (SSP), which cooperatively manages threatened or endangered species. The infant lemur is the seventh offspring of this breeding pair, and third birth at Lincoln Park Zoo.

“With any birth, our animal care staff carefully monitors the new arrival to ensure they are passing critical milestones,” says Curator of Primates Maureen Leahy. “The infant is holding tight to mother and regularly nursing which is exactly what we’d hope to see.”

Crowned lemurs are considered endangered due to forest loss caused by slash-and-burn practices, habitat fragmentation, charcoal production, mining and other environmental impacts from humans.

The lemur troop, including Tucker and the new baby are currently on exhibit at the Helen Brach Primate House, which is open daily from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Native to Madagascar, these primates are named after the gold crown-like coloration on their heads. These active lemurs forage at all levels of the forest canopy for fruits and leaves, using their 17-18 inch tails to help balance and move swiftly through the trees.